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Heart and Vascular Institute

Cardiac Surgery

Advanced Treatment for Mitral Valve Disease Mitral Valve Repair Center

At the Mitral Valve Repair Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, our team, led by James S. Gammie, M.D., excels in advanced valve operations, including mitral valve repairs. Dr. Gammie directs a high-volume program, with more than 300 mitral valve procedures performed annually, including multivalve operations.

Our collaborative approach ensures exceptional outcomes, with a repair rate exceeding 99% for degenerative mitral valve regurgitation and 89% across all mitral valve disease etiologies. Our safety record surpasses national averages, and long-term outcomes are among the world’s best.

Skilled surgeons specializing in mitral valve repair can successfully fix 95-100% of degenerative valves, regardless of the cause. However, in the broader cardiac surgery field, only about 70% of valves are repaired. Barlow’s valves, which have more complex issues, need advanced techniques for repair.

Our team has expertise in all types of mitral valve disease and provides comprehensive repair and replacement for all patients.

Schedule an Appointment: 410-955-2800

What Is Mitral Valve Disease?

Mitral valve disease has two types: mitral valve regurgitation and mitral valve stenosis. Both conditions strain the heart and can lead to severe symptoms like arrhythmia, heart failure and permanent damage if not treated.

Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve doesn’t open and close properly, causing a leakage in which blood flows backward into the heart’s left atrium.

Mitral Valve Stenosis

Mitral valve stenosis occurs when the mitral valve is narrowed and doesn’t open properly, preventing blood flow to the left ventricle of the heart (the main chamber where the heart pumps).

Other Common Conditions That May Accompany Mitral Valve Disease

Atrial fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart rhythm disorder marked by rapid and irregular electrical activity in the upper heart chambers, or atria. This irregular heartbeat can cause symptoms and increase the risk of complications like stroke and heart failure. Treatment involves medications and interventions to control heart rate and rhythm and reduce complications.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation: Tricuspid valve regurgitation occurs when the tricuspid valve fails to close properly, leading to the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during the heart’s contraction.

Medical team members at Johns Hopkins are also experts in treating these diseases.

Why Choose Johns Hopkins for Mitral Valve Surgery and Treatment

World-Renowned Experts

Johns Hopkins is a high-volume mitral valve repair center and performs more than 300 mitral valve operations per year, the most in the region. Our surgeons’ experience and expertise mean that patients can be assured that their valves are more likely to be repaired instead of replaced, when possible. In most patients, life expectancy after a mitral valve repair is equivalent to an age-matched patient with no heart disease at all. The most common treatment for severe mitral regurgitation is mitral valve repair, which is considered the gold standard.
Photo of mitral valve repair surgery.

Advanced Surgical Techniques

Johns Hopkins actively participates in pivotal clinical trials, evaluating cutting-edge procedures and the latest technology. Participation in clinical trials includes further testing and a visit with our Johns Hopkins Structural Heart Disease Team. These trials can give patients access to new treatments that are not widely available and may offer patients options for complex problems. Find a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins.
Conceptual illustration for emerging technologies to treat heart diseases.

Multidisciplinary Care

We collaborate with experts in cardiology, interventional cardiology and imaging to define an optimal treatment plan tailored for you. Our Heart Team approach and our ability to offer all possible therapies for heart valve disease ensure that every patient receives individualized care.
3D illustration of a human heart.

 Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Recognition Award

The Johns Hopkins Hospital has received the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Recognition Award, which recognizes centers in the United States with a demonstrated record of superior clinical outcomes in degenerative mitral valve repair resulting from evidence-based guideline treatment. Johns Hopkins is one of fewer than 25 Mitral Valve Repair Reference Centers in the U.S. that have earned this distinction.

About the award

Mitral Valve Repair Outcomes at Johns Hopkins

The Johns Hopkins Mitral Valve Repair Center exceeds AHA/ACC criteria for early intervention.

  AHA/ACC Criteria  Our Mitral Valve Repair Center 
Mitral Valve Repair Procedures/Year  Not Specified  >300 
Repair Rate  95%  >99% 
Mortality Rate  <1%  <0.5% 
Stroke Rate  <1%  <0.5% 
Expert Periprocedural Imaging Capabilities Yes  Yes 
Heart Team with High-Risk Conference Yes  Yes 
Transparency Regarding Outcomes  Yes  Yes 

Patient Education

  • Podcast: Mitral Valve Disease

    Dr. James Gammie, surgical lead and co-director for the Heart and Vascular Institute and cardiac surgeon-in-chief for the Johns Hopkins Health System, discusses mitral valve disease in this episode of “A Woman’s Journey: Healthy Insights That Matter.”

    Promotional image for A Woman's Journey podcast

  • Video: Frequently Asked Questions About the Mitral Valve

    Dr. James Gammie answers common questions about the mitral valve, such as what is mitral valve regurgitation, how significant it is to a person’s health to have this diagnosis, and how the mitral valve regurgitation is treated by repair or replacement surgery.

    Promo image for mitral valve FAQ video.

  • Video: Preparing for Mitral Valve Surgery

    Cardiac surgery nurse practitioner Filomena Koenigsberg explains how to prepare for a mitral valve surgical consultation. She also reviews the necessary preoperative testing and what to expect prior to surgery.

    Promo image for mitral valve surgery preparation video.

Patient Education Your Guide to Cardiac Surgery

Preparing for and recovering from surgery can be overwhelming. The Johns Hopkins Cardiac Surgery team developed a guide to help you throughout your treatment program.

Learn more

Research Highlights

Explore our selected publications:
Read More About Our Cardiovascular Research

Remote Access to CareTelemedicine Services for Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement

Our clinic provides telemedicine services for patients undergoing mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. Virtual visits can help you manage your condition with more ease and flexibility, without having to leave your home when appropriate.

Contact us at 410-955-2800 to request an appointment.

Learn more about telemedicine
mitral valve repair and replacement - older woman smiling using tablet sitting on couch in living room.

Find Treatment Locations for Care

Find a location close to you for mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. Schedule an appointment: 410-955-2800.